8 Funny Truths About Being a Second-Time Mom

Whether it’s your first, second, or fifth, having a baby is always magical. But there’s a definite difference in how parents handle and see things the first time around compared to the second. To say they’re a little more laid back when they’re second-time parents is kind of an understatement.

Here are eight funny truths every second-time mom can appreciate. Remember when you used to have everyone scrub up with antibacterial soap before holding your baby?

1. You’re not constantly checking to see if your child is breathing when they’re asleep — or at least not as often. Everyone is on high-alert with their first. You google everything, call the doctor when your baby as much as sneezes, and of course, check to see if he or she is breathing when they’re asleep. Second time around, though? Not so much. Sure, you check in on your child now and again when he or she is snoozing, but you no longer have that feeling of Something’s Very Wrong when your baby sleeps for a long stretch of time.

2. You’re itching to get out of the hospital. With your first, you’re fine to stay in the hospital (if that’s where you gave birth) for as long as need be. After all, it’s there that you have swaddling nurses, knowledgeable doctors, and free diapers at your disposal. With your second, though, you kind of can’t wait to get out of the hospital with your baby — because you’ve got another baby to get back to.

3. The “harder child” is different every day. One day, it’s your baby who won’t stop crying; the next, it’s your toddler who won’t stop whining. Just when you think you have everything and everyone figured out, your life — or, more apropos, your kids — throw you a curveball.

4. You feel guilty every day about not spending enough time with one of your children. There are days when you’ll find yourself with a fussy baby on your hands who wants nothing more than to nurse all day, and then there are others where you feel like you’ve done nothing but play with your eldest while your baby has just chilled on playmat all by his lonesome. It feels like a no-win sometimes. But don’t worry, it eventually all balances out.

5. You don’t ask everyone to scrub up surgical-style before holding the baby. Being that you have a toddler or preschooler who’s likely poking and prodding your newborn all day long, you’re not too worried about germs on adults.

6. You can barely remember what day it is, never mind when the pediatrician appointment is. With your first, you remembered your baby’s doctor appointments weeks in advance, but the second time around, you’re reminded the day before when the receptionist calls you — and even then, it’s hard to remember!

7. Your baby wears whatever your first wore — regardless of gender or the stains on the clothes. Few things are more adorable than fresh new baby onesies and teeny-tiny socks, and yeah sure, your second probably has a few of those. But the majority of what he’s sporting is what his older sister wore, faint spit-up stain and all.

This story is meant to reflect individual contributors' experiences and does not necessarily reflect What to Expect's point of view. This content is not intended to be used as medical advice, for diagnosis, or treatment.